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Subscribe to RSSIf you've been on Twitter or Facebook recently, you've probably seen a viral campaign called "Kony 2012." But who's behind it this effort to get rid of a Ugandan warlord accused of war crimes and sexual slavery? NBC's Craig Melvin reports.
A charity whose tactics have been criticized is making traction online with a video, "KONY 2012," that aims to bring down the leader of a cult-like rebel army in Africa.
The 30-minute documentary, which has had more than 7 million YouTube downloads, was made by Invisible Children, a charity that wants Joseph Kony, head of the Lord's Resistance Army, to face trial in an international court on charges of using children as soldiers and other human rights crimes in Uganda.
A recent Foreign Affairs report challenged the tactics used by the charity and several others, saying they had exaggerated the scale of Kony's crimes.
The blog Visible Children, written by a Canadian college student, also questioned the value of Invisible Children's emphasis on filmmaking and social media advocacy and pointed out that it was advocating for western military intervention in Africa.
Jedediah Jenkins, the charity's director of idea development, told the Washington Post that the criticism was "myopic" and that the film reflected a "tipping point" by getting young Americans to care about an issue in Africa.
"The film has reached a place in the global consciousness where people know who Kony is, they know his crimes," Jenkins added. "Kids know and they respond. And then they won’t allow it to happen anymore."
Invisible Children also posted a response to the criticisms here.
On Tuesday, the UN refugee agency said the Lord's Resistance Army had launched a new spate of attacks in the northeastern region Democratic Republic of Congo this year after a lull in the second half of 2011.
But Mounoubai Madnodje, a spokesman for the UN's Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said the LRA was on its last legs.
"We think right now it's the last gasp of a dying organization that's still trying to make a statement," he said. Madnodje said there are only about 200 LRA fighters left.
But experts on the LRA were skeptical about writing off Kony's force too soon. Mareike Schomerus at the London School of Economics said small scale attacks did not necessarily mean the LRA was getting weaker.
"It doesn't tell us anything because it's the same thing they have been doing for the last 25 years," she said.
The LRA, which emerged in northern Uganda in the late 1990s, is believed to have killed, kidnapped and mutilated thousands of people. Kony is wanted by the International Criminal Court and the African Union, which has designated it as a terrorist group.
In October the United States sent 100 military personnel, mainly special forces, to train and advise the forces fighting against the LRA.
This article includes reporting by msnbc.com staff and Reuters.
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Reading the newpaper in India
short article, said people are complaining about a smell in the 'neighboorhood'. the undertaker admitted it. that the 'Bodies are pilling up' what do u expect us to do?
its pretty sad being born into a life were u dnt fit in,,knowing, your gonna die anyway,,, no love,; no shoes, no food ,,all pain,cold ,feath,n just make me sick, to see lil kids, goiing to this when not one kid over here ,will never see wat they have seen,,to kil,l to take the soul, that brought u here,no ,,dreams,just [nightmares,] ,life iis spose to be about the kids,,,not on how were party n huff ,,nos ,,n smoke, weed ,pop pills, drink, ,n do wat ever,we want,,;,ya cuz i watch my bros n sis,[momkey see monkeys do] ,so that why ill will neaver want to c my bby sis or bro to fuking bitches smokein drinkin haveing sex n not givein a fuk ,na that way im here so i can say youBETTER KICK BBK befor i hurt you,you gotta step up when everyone one want to scare but your the only one that have th ball to sat ,make KONEY FAMOUS,n put a stop to all this madness,were the peace n the the dream n the n being free to liven be your self not no fake you just to fitin or you will never be a rollmodel for all the lil kid thats way im teacing im lil one how to shuffle it a OLD new dance,we been createding,soo ya ,lets make koney famout lets start the movement,thelive the life you love but love the life you live,,from apple valley ca,92707 najijo n carlaise, n were not know no fame,no one even ere me ,dnt even the grown up,but im '''YELLING PLEZZZ HELP ME OUT#DLKDREAMER -god bles to all,
im i right or wat just from a teenage that see it er day of my life,it a every day thing a hobby ,a lifestyle,cuz i fuk it up but still can make something out of the lil ones just tell them to shuffle
Okay, I don't normally complain about people's grammer and nonsense, but seriously dude???? Is education seriously that poor where you come from, assuming you ever went to school....
I'm all for the message, but these kids are making it seem like a hype. No offense. I support this but not the way these kids spread it.
excellent video. but i did not see any mention of Sam Childers (the machine gun preacher) he has been fighting Kony's LRA for 13 yrs. freeing abducted children. Google Sam Childers or watch the movie Machine Gun Preacher to see what he has done. do not know how this man is so unknon for all he has done
Kony's LRA for 13 yrs. freeing abducted children.
While the Lord's Resistance Army is indeed a despicable organization (really a terrorist group), the "charity" which put the video together is itself rather questionable:
http://thedailywh.at/2012/03/07/on-kony-2012-2/
Invisible Children has a low two-star rating in accountability from Charity Navigator because they won’t let their financials be independently audited. That’s not a good thing. In fact, it’s a very bad thing, and should make you immediately pause and reflect on where the money you’re sending them is going.
Out of $8,894,632 they spent, only $2,810,681 of that went to directly helping people. The rest went to Invisible Children making films, traveling around, paying employees, and whatever else they do that they don't want other people to know about.
Think before you get sucked into the latest viral phenomenon. It's important to help the people of Uganda, but it's even more important not to empower those who are seemingly duping the easily duped.
Spot on Skrekk. But sadly "feeling" is easier than "thinking" for most people.
Note to most of you dimwits posting here : "what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul". ............ just sayin. Of course those to whom this is addressed will have no idea who they are.
well we need to see the other side of the coin as well then we make an opinion and because i dont know nothing i shut my mouth
I do admit I've never heard of this guy until the other day and this has been going on practically my whole existence. Well, there are some pros and cons to this video and the Invisible Childern group. After reading a lot of these comments (intellegent sounding ones anyone) and various other places on the web, I don't think this video and having it posted all over the internet is a bad idea. However, if all the information is really accurate, it's a good educational tool to let everyone in the world know what's going on. And personally, I would like to no more what's going on since I only have the internet for a news resource (I don't have tv) instead about a stupid celebrity's messed up life (like us regular joes don't have the same issues) or "How to look sexy for your man!" or some stupid unimport thing that nobody really cares about. A blowup, such as this video was, in a short amount of time can be a real eye opener. If all the facts are there, there's nothing wrong with having a video to show a problem that needs to be delt with. If you don't want to support the people that makes this video, that's fine and understandable. Maybe they don't have the solution or they do and it's not very effective, but someone else might. The makers of this video were able to find the right resources and to be able to let the world finally know and pay attention to what's going on and it GOT PEOPLE TO CARE! That's the most fundamental part in trying to find a solution to problems is to care. Why do you think we've had revolutions and wars throughout history? (For all you critics out there, I do know it doesn't apply to all events.) People were tired of dealing with problems and wanted to see improvements in their lives. It only started with one person who had the brains, resources, and actually gave a damn to take action and get other people to follow. But if we can get enough people from around the world that care about the issue with Kony and who want to take action, we can be unstoppable. The Invisible Childern group may be a little off key by the sounds of it, but if it's getting people to notice and wanting to do something about well good. However, all the right resources and facts need to be noted first in order to take the proper course of action. And that goes for anything.
And I hope this Kony guy gets taken down. What an evil man! And I wish more real news was reported, I'm tired of hearing things and finding out later that people are trying to cover it up with puppies and rainbows. Like I really care about the lives of the Kardashians or what's in style this season.
We need to let another country take care of this idiot Kony, why must it always be the USA to take care of the worlds problems?!?!?!?!
Because we're all about world peace and to do that is to go "fix" other peoples problems. *cheesy smily with a tumbs up*
Well, I don't have a problem that we help other countries. It's kind of hard to avoid with NATO and everybody else out there. Some of our methods and reasons are a bit much and off at times it seems like, but apparently it's necessary for whatever the reason may be. However, I'm not in a high government job position such as president or a memeber of congress to say a whole lot....
Because we are the idiots with teens with too much money and very little intelligence.
You bet we know and respond!! As a high school teen, some of my friends and I are trying to get youth in the Detroit area and suburbs to organize. Please spread the word, and follow @detroitkony2012 on Twitter!!!
Our strength lies in numbers, and young voices WILL be heard.
If he were killing dogs, more Americans would probably be upset. But he's only killing kids / parents / raping girls & women. After all Michael Vick spent more time in prison than a lot of people who abuse / kill little kids. This guys is an rougue animal that should be hunted down and killed like a rabid dog. What he has done to the children of that country should never be allowed anywhere. The world should step in once he is put down, and take those poor kids he captured and educate them so they have a future instead of just knowing how to kill / destroy.
Guys, the point is something needs to be done, and if ppl know about it they might help get get done.
If you want to do something about the starving and homeless people in America, look into the charities and organizations that are already set up to help and do your part.
People cant help if the dont know whats going on, and for them to know it has to be put out in a way they can. Use this as an example. If enough ppl know about Kory and he gets taken out of power thats a good thing right? So then the 'experiment' worked, So then take what you have learned from this and use it to do good where you think it needs to be done.
While you were arguing and fighting over it, I helped kids that needed help in school, then feed some who needed food, and helped out someone who's sister was murdered.
If you want to make a change do so, dont argue about it. Get up, Get out there and make a change where one is needed.
Four more years of Obama and the United State will be fully involved, in nation building in Africa. The American Military packs it's bags, they have a new mission!!!
This charity is a big scam! Yes what Kony is doing is wrong, he's a horrible person, but people have to look at how much this so called non-profit is pocketing at the expense of uneducated teens. They only give 30% to their cause. The cause is legit, the people running it are crooks.
So this is a charity...........Hmmmm. Did not know. You make it sound now that they are more for the money than for freedom.
I Am Anti-Charity when it comes to the higher ups raking in all the money!
I can't believe The Today Show ran this piece without looking where this groups money was going. Good Ole Media Poachers.
This is a good man that is being blamed for stuff.
"A recent Foreign Affairs report challenged the tactics used by the charity and several others saying they had exaggerated the scale of Kony's crimes.
See, even the Foreign Affairs people are on his side. I'm sure the Foreign Affairs has personal relations with him to know he is a good man. A good man that does evil.
So the Foreign Affairs is too scared to get involved. What the hell are they for then. This group made a video to ask for help and the answer is that they exaggerate. So what if they did. Maybe they had to so their cries could be heard. And the Foreign Affairs wants to turn their back because what they say is exaggerated. So send the US in and lets start another 10 year war so politicians can become rich from their military business ventures and the poor True Americans have to pay so they can become richer.
This war crap is out of control. I hope the soldiers trained these soon to be freedom fighters to fend for themselves and not rely completely on us. Our blood gets wasted too much at a high price of losing the USA. We have to stop having wars they waste money and make the greedy people richer.
People rise up against tyrants and evil and destroy them with the help of whatever GOD you believe in!
Amen! Praise God, Abba, Allah, Aunt Jemima, The Pillsbury Dough Boy, and Fonzie, HEYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
This is just mypersonal opinion:
Apparently some people don't want to focus on the purpose of this video:
This is awareness for bunch of people who don't know until now about Kony; someone mentioned before we are privilegded because we have so many ways to be heard and internet is one of them; perhaps we use it for dozens of purposes that are egocentric or self centered, but we can use it also to help.
US sent 100 soldiers as "support"; they're not fighting with Uganda's army, they're "training" them to fight the LRA.
It is true, Uganda discovered oil reserves and probably the goverment can "clasiffy" our petition as national interest, but if the kids in Uganda are going to benefit of "our troops" being sent; let's go for it. These thousands of kids want to die before continue to hidding and being affraid, they see no future and that's heart breaking.
It is also true that those crimes are happening in other countries, but one step at a time; we can take actions but step by step.
Our careless, selfish and our indifference about other people suffering is making us an easy target for extinction.
Kids are vulnerable and innocent; we need to stop their abuse and their abusers at every level.
more money ! more money ! African charities, for decades the U.S. has pump billions into Africa and this what all those donations have produced. hey ! the checks in the mail.
"Exaggerated his crimes"...???? If this stops this man from taking 1 more child - then all of this will be worth it......
There may only be 200 or so LRA soldiers left - but what about the reign of terror this man has subjected his fellow human beings to for the last 26 years...??? What about all the children he has already tortured and maimed, destroyed mentally and physically.
Wake up people!!!!! The world has to come together and start somewhere...this is a good start.....
If you pay one murdering thug to whack another, and that thug you hired kills 2 kids afterward, what did you cause? You need to wake up and analyze who you are supporting. There are no good guys here right now.
This movement causes me to regain hope for OUR kids futures! The young adults and children today must think bigger and broader than we ever did, its a complicated and much more demanding world than we faced or could have ever imagined! I'm proud of the commitment and unity our our youth, not just in America, but from all over the world in this effort! This is about more than Kony, this is about the future of the world and what it will stand for! Keep it up, I'll be there on April 20th, PROUD TO STAND WITH YOU!
B.S. Smoke a joint for me on 4/20.
Does anyone here remember Idi Amin? Reign of terror in Uganda 1971 to 1979? We all thought once Amin was out that it would take care of the problem. Thirty years on, the song remains the same. Before sinking "charity" dollars into additional warfare in a country that has seen (and likely will see) turmoil for decades, think about what you are promulgating. Who are you backing? And what will the outcome be from your dollars five years from now? History suggests you are buying more death and destruction with your donation. Look it up.
Abducting children, Aids did not work huh. Let me see if we can create another disease. Did you guys know that Kony has 45 wifes and probably 200 children, they estimate in that range. He keeps fcking every fcking day. Diseseas them from this fcking planet. 2012 and nothing is achieved in that continent. I would rather let monkeys and other animals take over than humans over there. We can create a giant ZOO where no humans are allowed and call Africa.
We cant even feed and shelter our own homeless.
"that video has had 28 million views in the last 24 hours. its truly viral. its on networks being beamed into peoples homes people who dont give a dmn where Uganda is. People to who it would make no difference at all that Kony last attacked a village in 2002 and has not really operated in Uganda since 2006/7.
And some of the commentary pro and con around it is really ignorant. Today I have listened to lots of questions by really ignorant people! Just because they watched some 5 yer old say Kony was a bad guy, they believe they now know all about Uganda! Kind of like all those people who try to tell you they know all about Uganda -because they watched the Last king of Scotland! no small talk at any gathering where one is known to be from Uganda will be incomplete without some question about kony just like people still want to know whether Idi Amin is still president of Uganda!
As usual, the narrative has been hijacked and the story is now about the NGO and its founders rather than the victims! Soon they will be th new Bonos appearing on Oprah and collecting awards!
This is activism pornography at its best! that a bunch of ignorant young activists can get a cause they do not really understand and turn it into a viral issue -the latest tear jerker that will roll in funds hand over fist!
I do not want Kony caught and taken to the ICC to waste time in a trial. I want him to die and be buried in the desert! The more nasty the death, the better -kind of like Bin Laden!
But Ugandans need to move on with their lives. They need marshal plan not this time wasting white messianic crap! People need help to get back onto their feet. To fight poverty. To access quality healthcare.
America sent 100 US troops into the region not to fight or look for Kony but to safeguard its interests in the regions resources. Lets not delude ourselves!"
When they were needed they were not useful nor helpful but now they want to hijack the narrative of the whole war and turn it into a victory for American goodness! I even read one person who was against this IC and their video claiming that America ha several times sent its troops into Uganda to help fight kony which is not true!
Africans need to start telling their own stories for as long as the hunter tells the story of the hunt, the lion will always be the loser!
Well put!!! 100% agree
Yep, check out their salaries. Maybe we should be a little bit more concerned with the homeless children in our own country.
My daughter is 17. She never cared about anything so much in her life as she does about this Kony guy. I support her wanting to help poor African children and wanting to have a part in saving their lives. But I got a weird feeling watching the video with her. Especially when the guy insisted it is all about letting people know about this man so he is tracked down and arrested. Ten the pitch to buy the KONY 2012 "kit". Seriously...how old is this scam. Prey on the vulnerable and extort their money from their guilt. Why do people need a bracelet or an official sign to gather and demonstrate for their cause. I don't see any "Occupy Wall Street" kits for sale and those people seemed to be able to draw attention to their cause.
It's a classic scenario. "You can make a difference...you can help the cause...you can change the world...and all for only $19.99! Keep your eyes open for the new and improved KONY 2012 kit, coming your way soon"
I hope the Ugandan Government tracks him down soon so all these kids can live a free and prosperous life and all the rest of the kids can save their money. Look on Ebay and Amazon, see all the merchandise now for sale.